Valentine’s Day has long been a day recognized for its appreciation of love and affection. Red roses and boxes of chocolate suddenly fill stores in the month of February in preparation for the demand of sweet treats and small gifts for friends and partners. However, very few people actually understand how this romantic holiday came to be.
The name “Valentine’s Day” traces back to the name of St. Valentine. St. Valentine is thought to have been a Roman priest. During his time, the emperor of Rome outlawed marriage for young men. This was due to the belief that single men made more loyal and efficient soldiers. However, St. Valentine viewed this as unjust. Secretly, Valentine officiated young couples wedding and defied the emperor’s rule. Eventually, Valentine’s actions came to light, and he was ordered for execution. Some even believe that the date of this holiday is to commemorate the death of St. Valentine.
Many people also believe that Valentine’s Day stems from a Pagan holiday. The festival of Lupercalia was the pagan celebration of fertility. Roman priests would slaughter a goat and a dog to represent fertility and purification. After the animals were prepared for the ceremony, the goat hide was slapped against women’s backs and laid in planting fields. This was done to increase fertility and bring bountiful harvest to the planting fields.
After years of societal changes and many different stories being told, Valentine’s Day evolved to be what we know now. From secret marriages to a celebration of fertility, the origins of this lovely holiday are quite different from what we celebrate today. Single or not, the origins of this day are fairly mind-boggling.
By Evelyn Johns
Edited By: Harrison Davies, Mathias Munoz Gonzalez
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